Background

To clarify the immunological alterations leading to classical Kaposi sarcoma (cKS) among people infected with KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).

Methods

In a population-based study of 119 cKS cases, 105 KSHV-seropositive controls, and 155 KSHV-seronegative controls, we quantified plasma soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD) levels and antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (anti-EBNA-1) and viral capsid antigen (anti-VCA). Differences between groups in prevalence of low-tertile anti-EBNA-1 and high-tertile anti-VCA were compared by logistic regression. Continuous levels between groups and by presence of cKS co-factors among controls were compared by linear regression and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon methods.

Results

Comparisons of cKS cases to seropositive controls and of seropositive to seronegative controls revealed no significant differences. However, controls with known cKS cofactors (male sex, nonsmoking, diabetes and cortisone use) had significantly lower levels of anti-EBNA (P = 0.0001 - 0.07) and anti-VCA (P = 0.0001 - 0.03). Levels of sCD26 were significantly lower for male and non-smoking controls (Padj ≤ 0.03), and they were marginally lower with older age and cortisone use (Padj ≤ 0.09).

Conclusions

Anti-EBV and sCD26 levels were associated with cofactors for cKS, but they did not differ between cKS cases and matched controls. Novel approaches and broader panels of assays are needed to investigate immunological contributions to cKS.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) develops in develops in a minority of people who have been infected with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). KS is the predominant malignancy occurring in people with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), illustrating that cell-mediated immunity modifies the risk KS. However, the abnormalities with AIDS are so varied in type and severity that dissecting those specifically associated with KS is challenging. Studies of people who do not have overt immunologic abnormalities may be more informative, although consistent, unambiguous perturbations have yet to be reported in non-AIDS KS [1–4].

KSHV reactivation with viremia is predictive for KS [5], but study of the underlying immunologic mechanisms is technically difficult and unsettled [6–8]. In lieu of a KSHV-specific approach, generic measures of immunity may be helpful. Loss of immunologic control of the related gammaherpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), results in viral reactivation and is marked by higher antibodies against viral capsid antigen (anti-VCA) and lower antibodies against nuclear antigen-1 (anti-EBNA-1). This EBV serology pattern, as well as altered levels of soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD) markers (sCD26, sCD23 and sCD30), have been associated with immune-mediated clinical conditions [9–14]. The Th1/Th2 cellular immunity paradigm has been the rationale [9–14]. We examined whether these markers were associated with classical KS (cKS) in a population-based study in Sicily.

In the combined group of controls, levels of anti-EBNA-1 and especially anti-VCA were substantially and significantly lower with three cKS cofactors: male sex, nonsmoking, and diabetes (Table 3). The anti-EBNA-1 and anti-VCA levels also were marginally lower with the fourth cKS cofactor, cortisone use (Table 3).

* Mean difference from multivariate linear regression models that included all variables shown.

All sCD26, sCD23 and sCD30 levels were within detectable limits. Medians and interquartile ranges were similar across groups (cKS cases, KSHV seropositives, and seronegatives), and no significant differences were found (P≥0.35, data not presented).

Cases of cKS did not differ from KSHV-seropositive controls in anti-EBV or sCD levels. A posteriori, we found that cKS cofactors among controls were significantly associated with low anti-EBNA-1 and especially low anti-VCA. Levels of sCD26 tended to be lower in older controls and cortisone users, and they were significantly lower in never smokers and males.

Our assays have been used as measures of immunity for epidemiologic research, specifically invoking the Th1/Th2 cellular immunity paradigm [9, 10, 16]. However, in vitro data to support their use are sparse. Especially with a single plasma sample, these assays may be too crude to distinguish a chronic condition, such as cKS, with the limited statistical power that we had herein.

Although cases did not differ from controls, our findings on cKS cofactors among controls should be noted, particularly because these cofactors are also associated with Th1/Th2 alteration. Th1 responses are generally lower and Th2 responses generally higher in women, smokers, diabetics, and corticosteroid users [17–22]. Classical KS risk is increased for corticosteroid users and perhaps diabetics, but cKS risk is reduced for women and smokers [15, 23]. The effect of smoking on Th1/Th2 cytokine levels may also differ by sex [24]. These complex and even inverse relationships suggest that differences in cKS risk may reflect differences in immunity or inflammation that are captured, but only weakly, by anti-EBV and sCD26 levels.

In summary, anti-EBV and sCD26 levels were associated with cofactors for cKS, but not with cKS risk per se. Perhaps Th1/Th2 imbalance is poorly measured by these assays or is unrelated to cKS risk. Further studies of cKS risk with a more comprehensive panel of cytokine and inflammatory markers will be needed to illuminate the abnormalities that contribute to this malignancy.

The parent case-control study, including KSHV serostatus definition, has been reported [15]. The current study included all cKS cases, all KSHV-seropositive controls, and a sample of KSHV-seronegative controls with ≥0.5 mL previously unthawed plasma for the assays. Seronegatives were matched to seropositive controls and cases on cKS cofactors (sex, age group, cigarette smoking and diabetes).

EBV enzyme immunoassays were performed as described [25]. Antibody levels were the ratio of each specimen's average optical density (OD450) divided by the average OD450, plus 2 standard deviations, of four negative controls on each plate. Ratio value is highly correlated with anti-EBV immunofluorescence end-point titer [25]. Commercial kits were used to quantify sCD26, sCD23 and sCD30 [Bender MedSystems GmbH (Vienna, Austria)].

Three sets of comparisons were made: cKS cases versus KSHV-seropositive controls; KSHV-seropositive versus-seronegative controls; and all controls by cKS-related cofactors (including KSHV serostatus). We used linear regression (for anti-EBV levels) or Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon (for sCD levels) methods. As done previously [8, 9], cKS risk was postulated to be highest with low-EBNA-1/high-VCA, defined using tertiles among controls. Odds of cKS was estimated with unconditional logistic regression and with conditional logistic regression, conditioning on assay batch.

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute, in part under a contract with RTI International (N02-CP-91027).

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

CP designed the study, selected the specimens, selected the sCD markers, analyzed the data, and drafted the manuscript. JM performed the EBV antibody and sCD marker assays. SMM helped to design of the study, interpret the results, and edit the manuscript. CL, AM, NR and FV performed all of the field work, including recruitment of the participants, collection of questionnaire data, collection and initial processing of specimens, and shipment of specimens to the repository. NR also performed the KSHV immunofluorescence assays. JJG helped to design the study, interpret the results, and draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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